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The boss of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who suggested the UK might have reached maximum pizza demand while expanding the chain into chicken products has been replaced after disagreements with its governing body.

Leadership Transition

The former CEO is exiting after a brief tenure in leadership, and will be succeeded on an temporary basis by the company's operations head, Frampton, while the pizza giant looks for a long-term chief.

Rennie, who was with Domino's for over 20 years, had sought to pivot Britain's biggest pizza delivery company towards poultry-based products, commenting recently there was not “massive growth” left in the British pizza industry. He observed chicken was the most rapidly expanding protein in the international market.

Board Disagreements

It is understood that there was disagreement between Rennie and the board over his strategy and management style, although the company's announcement said he was stepping down “by mutual agreement”.

Recent Product Launch

In September, the chain unveiled its poultry product line – which the former chief described as a “bold new chapter” for the organization – and is trialling it in select stores in the north-west of England and Northern Ireland.

While the firm is still intending to launch it across its extensive network next year as scheduled, it considers fried chicken as a supplement for its core pizza business.

Leadership Statement

Bull, the Domino's chairman, said: “The board believes that there are a range of possibilities to enhance value and profitability in our primary operations. We are prioritizing identifying the right chief executive to direct the careful implementation of that expansion plan.”

Industry Difficulties

Recently, Domino's, which has millions of users in the UK and Ireland, said orders dipped by one and a half percent in the third quarter. In August, it alerted that the food delivery sector had “intensified” as it attributed reduced spending in the lead-up to the government announcement and increasing labor expenses for below-target performance and a significant fall in interim earnings.

Competitors are also facing challenges. Another major chain revealed the closure of dozens of outlets a recently, after the business behind its British operations entered insolvency.

Health Initiatives

Responding to customer preferences towards healthier eating, the company has launched light products, such as its thin-crust range of pizzas below 400 kcal as well as meat-free and gluten-free options. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 kcals. A large cheese and tomato pizza has 2,171, while a individual has under 1,000 calories.

Interim Leadership

Frampton has been with the company since the recent past, and was formerly with the gambling company William Hill. It is thought that she does not want to assume the top job on a full-time basis.

Frampton stated: “The company has a number of active growth and efficiency programs that we will be dedicated to implementing at a rapid rate.”

Frampton noted these involved additional efforts on the organization's procurement system and new item creation, and its customer retention initiative.

Domino's is also without a full-time CFO until the spring, when Andrea starts from the Irish cider and beer maker a well-known firm. For now, Snow is acting financial officer.